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The Weston Police Department is warning residents of an increase in phone scams. On Nov. 16, an elderly individual received a phone call from someone claiming to be a grandson of the person who answered the phone.
"These scam artists are very good at 'cold readings,'" Detective Carl Filsinger said. "When the target answers [the phone], the caller replies 'grandma or grandpa, is that you?' When the unsuspecting target replies, 'Is that you [real grandson's name]?' they are hooked."
Filsinger said the scam artist then talks fast under the assumed name provided by the target. The scammer claims there is an emergency and is need of quick money. The scammer asks the target to send cash through Western Union or money gram.
"You cannot trace any suspect either through the call, number provided, name or payee location," Filsinger said, making the arrest of these types of criminals difficult.
Filsinger asks residents to pass this information to anyone who could be vulnerable to this type of crime.
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